This summer, Jerusalem Peacebuilders Youth Leadership Program brings Jewish, Christian and Muslim teenagers from across the Middle East to 4 sites in the US. They learn about each other — and themselves — in the hopes of creating a better future across religions, cultures and nationalities.
New Haven is one of those 4 hosts. This week, participants worked together on a large mural depicting young refugees washing ashore. Called “We Welcome Refugees,” it will hang near Exit 42 of I-95 in West Haven.
Working on the mural, on the New Haven Green. (Photo/Carly Wanna for New Haven Independent)
According to the New Haven Independent, the mural was inspired by a photo of a young Turkish boy arriving in Greece in 2015. Artist Russell Rainbolt — who is working with the Jerusalem Peacebuilders teens — generalized the image to represent all refugees, everywhere. That fits well with the program’s theme of a common humanity.
Nice. But why is this story “06880”-worthy?
The photo that the Rainbolt and the teenagers are working from was taken by New York Times photographer Tyler Hicks.
The Tyler Hicks photo that inspired artist Russell Rainbolt. (Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
And — as proud Westporters know — that Pulitzer Prize winner is a 1988 graduate of Staples High School.
For the past couple of decades, he’s wandered — and photographed — the world. These days, he lives in Kenya.
But an impressive interpretation of his work will soon hang a few miles from here. “06880” is indeed where Westport — and West Haven — meet the world.
(Hat tip: Mary Webber)